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| The Eagle on the Ramparts by Canafinwe | 12 Review(s) |
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| obsidianj | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/28/2015 |
| Denethor is a piece of work. I love it that his sister knows him and calls him out on his faults. The scene between Ecthelion and Thorongil was great while they were alone and was in stark contrast the moment Denethor entered. I loved the name of the village Thorongil was brought up in "home". What a nice name and so uninformative when it comes to locating the place. It must gall Denethor. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/17/2015 |
| I'm reminded of Gandalf unbending to Pippin, remarking how tiring it must have been to stand between two such powerful individuals as himself and Denethor that day, having to keep private such news as could not be shared outside the Fellowship. Aragorn indeed should be feeling the tension but beginning to ease now that he's gone from Denethor's presence! In my own tales Aragorn gave his name as "Peredhrion" at times, which most translated as "Half Son," also believing it indicated he might have been illegitimate. That it was a tribute to his foster father no one dreamed. Good fencing there. Author Reply: What a wonderful idea! I love the notion of Aragorn paying tribute to all three of his parents in the name of his errantries. Very cool! Poor Pippin! That scene... he's just so honest and upright and brave. AWWW! Now I'm all awash with the Pippin-love... | |
| sneha | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/16/2015 |
| What a wonderful talent, to speak but not reveal anything of import. The talk between the Steward and the new soldier was so courteous and warm. And I could feel the rising tension, the disharmony as soon as Denethor entered the picture. Uncourteous, cold and ever suspicious. I just want to shake Denethor! His older sister seems lovely and has the measure of him. I look forward to the next chapter! Author Reply: Yes, a very Strider-y talent, too. ;-) I'm glad you could feel the warmth in that conversation, and indeed the change when Denethor entered. His suspicions aren't wholly unreasonable, which is the worst part of it. So pleased you like Telpiriel! | |
| Lori | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/16/2015 |
| Ecthelion and Thorongil get along so well. I love how Aragorn is as honest as he can be and doesn’t lie outright to conceal his identity even if it would be easier for him. Like others have mentioned, it is an important aspect of his character that shows his honor. I did wonder if I had missed a nuance of understanding when Aragorn said responded in the affirmative that he had been a Captain of the Mark. Ecthelion thought the words should have been sounded with more finality. Why should they have been said with finality and why did Aragorn not say them with such? Denathor’s personality and almost unchecked behavior of arrogance, prejudice, and control defeintly put him at odds with Thorongil. They are both so similar in build and intelligence, yet they are so diametrically opposite in personality, behavior, and wisdom. Their conversations are like tense duels to be sure. Author Reply: I feel very strongly on that point: Aragorn *must* be as truthful as possible, and must chose 'I cannot tell you' over a lie when vague answers and equivocation don't work. In LWW, he wouldn't even lie to Third Voice. Ecthelion just felt the answer seemed too open-ended, as indeed it was. Although he was indeed a Captain of the Mark, that was not the highest rank that Thorongil held in Rohan. As Undermarshal, I put him in charge of 1/3 of the force under the First Marshal of the Mark -- nine to ten éoreds (and their Captains) in addition to his own. So when he left Rohan he was *both* Undermarshal and a Captain, not only a Captain. If the conversation had not turned, he might have got around to that admission, but he didn't. Unchecked behaviour... very well put, and very typical of an only son and heir. Denethor's lost potential is one of the bitter tragedies in the Book. | |
| Aromene | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/16/2015 |
| Me thinks Denethor's sisters need to find him a wife post haste! Anything to dull that deep seating need to control everything and everyone, even sometimes his own father. I was smiling most of the way through, because of course, at the end of the day, Denethor's personality rather comes back to bite him in the future. Unfortunately for him. Author Reply: Haha! Yes, that would be best. Unfortunately the 'perfect lady' is still just a girl, no doubt out feeding the gulls as Anaiwen feeds the sparrows. I wonder if Denethor could have been saved from his spiral of madness if FInduilas had lived. | |
| DoggieGirl | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/16/2015 |
| Thorongil and Ecthelion's chat was marvelous. Thorongil started out the perfect submissive soldier but quickly saw the honest warmth and goodness in Ecthelion. I am glad that at least Ecthelion knows a little bot more about Thorngil's family. Although several times I could help but laugh at things that Ecthelion could not possibly know but we do such as: Thorongil being a very poor, small land owner (when in fact he is heir to all of Arnor, no small parcel of land), and that he was raided by a err... uncle (Yeah a a uncle hundreds of times removed but still), and taking his uncles name instead of his fathers (Thorongil son of Elrond or Estel son of Elrond would probably be just as bad and preposterous to others as his own father's name). Of course, I think one of my favorite moments was when Ecthelion discovered in surprise that he had a captain of the mark and leader of his own éored. It will be interesting to see of that knowledge stays where it is or trickles down to others. I wonder what Minardil would say if he knew who his lowly soldier had been. Denethor won't be pleased if he hears that is for sure. It was amazing to see how Thorongil handled Denethor. He never lets his pride stand in the way of smoothing a situation and easing tensions. He doesn't let himself become easily provoked but hold onto his self control with admirable strength. Denethor must be so frustrated to know that Thorongil spoke the truth but that it was still shrouded in mystery. Can't wait for more. Please update soon. Author Reply: So pleased you like it! There was definitely some cause for humour there; dear Ecthelion and his perfectly reasonable leaps of logic. Such lovely comments, too, on the dynamics of the conversation: thank you! It was time for Thorongil to open up a little, and for Ecthelion to get a *few* answers, at least. Interesting speculation on how Minardil would react to that news, too. You kind of have to feel for Denethor in his frustration, right? | |
| Matt | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/16/2015 |
| Yep, just don't like those Denithor moments. Think you may be accelerating the conflict between them too much. Stranger though he may be Thorongil is one of many in the city at this point. The scene with Ecthelion work well , as did that between Denithor and his sister. One wonders, though, if Denithor was as much of a tight-ass early in life or if, as Tolkien implies, he got worse as he got older. Thanks for your hard work on this, looking forward to future installments. Author Reply: Thank you again for the fantastic constructive feedback. I do have my reasons for Denethor's instant antagonism, not the least of which is that Thorongil's refusal to answer such basic questions really *is* genuinely suspicious. I don't think Denethor was as bad early in life as he became, nor that I've got him near that point now. He's definitely sane, if sometimes petty, and he is still working for the good of Gondor. Not to mention that his compassion cogs haven't rusted solid yet... Thanks again! I'm very flattered that you're reading, and I hugely appreciate your thoughts on my interpretation of these unique characters. Cheers! Author Reply: Thank you again for the fantastic constructive feedback. I do have my reasons for Denethor's instant antagonism, not the least of which is that Thorongil's refusal to answer such basic questions really *is* genuinely suspicious. I don't think Denethor was as bad early in life as he became, nor that I've got him near that point now. He's definitely sane, if sometimes petty, and he is still working for the good of Gondor. Not to mention that his compassion cogs haven't rusted solid yet... Thanks again! I'm very flattered that you're reading, and I hugely appreciate your thoughts on my interpretation of these unique characters. Cheers! | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/16/2015 |
| And what did your mother call this… village?’ asked Denethor with a taciturn twitch of the lips. ‘She called it home, sire,’ said Thorongil. Bravo. To speak the truth, yet reveal little... what a useful, albeit exhausting gift! A wonderful conversation. Author Reply: Thank you! Exhausting, yes... but he really does get a lifetime of use out of those skills. | |
| Celeth | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/16/2015 |
| No wonder Thorongil feels that way every time he encounters Denethor. Just reading about him seems to exhaust me as well as excite me. But the exciting part mostly comes from Thorongil; Denethor is the exhausting part hehe. Now I wonder what will happen next? We will go on vacation for the next 6 days, and probably I won't be able to read your next post until Monday. But I'm looking forward to it! Author Reply: Very glad to know it comes across in the writing: thank you! I always prefer to show rather than to tell. Enjoy your holiday! | |
| UTfrog | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 11/16/2015 |
| The final sentence says it all. How much pain and loss Gondor suffered all those years because Denethor was so jealous! Author Reply: Alas, yes: that really does sum it up very well. Jealous of Thorongil, jealous of knowledge, jealous of his own children... | |